Bearing structure



' April s, 1941'.

R. J. RLJTl-lsl BEARING STRUCTURE' Filed June 3, 1940 2 Sheet-Sheet l ATTGRNEY April s, 1941.

R. J. RuTHs BEARING STRUCTURE lineal June :5, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToR ,POB/fer d ,Gl/THS ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 8, 1941 BEARING STRUCTURE Robert J. Ruths, Baltimore, Mil. Application June s, 1940, serial No. 333,547

(C1. 30e-23s) I (Granted under the act of Marchi 3, 1833, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 0.. G. 757) 17 Claims.

The present invention relates to a bearing structure, and it has a particular relation to -bearings subjected to the action of water such 'as the'shafting of marine propellers and the lilre.

The principal object of the invention is the provision oi a bearing ot the character dcscribed, which comprises in its essentials a helically Wound 4composite band having an outer metallic strap and an inner shaft engaging portion oi anti-friction rubberlike compound vulcanized thereto and insertable as a unit in desired lengths within the bearing housing, the construction being' such that any tendency for the bearing compound from being separated iront its metallic support, due to the rotation of `the shaft, ls materially reduced, if not eliminated.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a bearing of the character specified in which the Weightof the shaft is uniformly distributed circumferentially thereof, and in which a self-circulation of lubricating film o uniform thickness is insured entirely around the bearing and throughout its length.

With these and other objects in view, as well as other advantages that may be incident to the use of the improvements, the invention consists in the parts and vcombinations thereof hereinafter set forth and claimed, with.'the understanding that the several necessary` elements constituting the same may be varied in proportion and arrangement Without departing from the nature and scope of the invention, asdened in the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a View, partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section, of a bearing constructed in accordance with the invention, the sectional portion oi the bearing being taken on iine II-l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the bearing shown in Fig. i, partly in elevation and partly in transverse section, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig.` 3 is a side elevational view of the tread iorniing and vulcanizing core showing the bearing strip or band being wound helicaily` thereon;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 3, and illustrating the manner oi and sequence that the several layers of the composite bearing strip are wound onto the vulcanizing mandrel or core;

Flgs.,5; 6 and 'I are vertical longitudinal sec; tional views through the forward, atter'and prepeller bearing housing respectively, showing the location ont the improved bearings; and

Fig. is a perspective View of a portion of the bearing stripl showing its laminated construction.

Referring to the drawings, a bearing embodying the invention is shown as comprising 4a helically wound band it oi composite laminated structure, Abeing composed of an inner flexible anti-friction` tread. portionlli oi rubber or the like; superimposed breaiier strips it, it and it, having brass or bronze wire mesh, it, it and il,

molded therein. for reinforcing purposes; interposed strips it and it oi a suitable vulcanizible compound such as rubber, Duprene or the lilre,

, and an outer band it oi brass or bronze, the g whole being vulcanized together in a manner presently to be described, 'to form a unitary flexible structure. In addition, the band 2li is preierab-ly anchored by spot welding to the reinforcing mesh of the breaker strip it, as indicated at 2l in Fig. 8. I

The ends ci the helically wound band ill of the completed bearing are cut perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the bearing and the ends of the `metallic outer strip 2li are secured by screws 22 to collars 23, which are shaped to conform with the tapered or beveled end of the band. The inner tread portion Il of the band forming the bearing is preformed with a plurality of grooves or indentations 2.4, Fig. 8, which cooperate and register with one another in the assembled bearing, Fig. l., to provide a plurality of spaced helical channels 25 of relatively steep pitch extending longitudinally of the' bearing. Also, the opposite inner edges of the tread portion Il is beveled to form a helical channel 26 of relatively gradual pitch. These channels cooperate to conduct lubricating uid, whether water, if the bearing is located outboard of the vessel, or vegetable oil if the bearing is located inboard thereof, longitudinally of the bearing. The rotation of the shaft carries lubricant from the channels and distributes it in a uniform lm .over the tread portions Il with a squeegee action. In the event that sand or other foreign matter gains access to the bearing, it will collect in the channels 26 and gradually be worked out by the circulating lubricant Without being carried over the treads Il and scarring the same, lor becoming embedded therein, as in the case of straight longitudinal parallel channels heretofore employed. Another advantage 'of the spiral channels is that the several tread portions Il are stepped or offset relative to one another longitudinally of the bearing, thus insuring a continuous support for the shaft, Iboth longitudinally and circumferentially thereof.

The helical construction of thebearlng permits the same to lbe warped slightly, either radially, outwardly or inwardly, so as to accommodate shafts of different diameters, provided that the band is not flexed to a degree where' the indentations 24 are shifted out of alignment with one another so as to interfere with the ow of lubricant through the spiral channels 25 defined thereby.

The band IIJ may be fabricated, as shown in- Figs. 3 and 4, wherein the unvulcamzed tread II which has been previously pressed into impregnating engagement with the wire mesh reinforced breaker strip I2 is carried around a rotating die 2l, Fig. 4, provided with axially inclined ribs or formed with a plurality of spiral ridges 34 extending its entire length and spaced apart the same distance as the indentations 24, so as to register therewith and also with a helical retaining wall 35 forming a channel for receiving the band being fabricated and wound on the mandrel.

The treadportion II and breaker strip I2 are held against the mandrel 33 by pressure rolls 36 yand the breaker strips I3 l and I4, interposed vulcanizable strips I8 and I9, and outer metallic band 20 are fed onto the mandrel successively at spaced points circumferentially thereof and forced into engagement with one another by pressure rolls 31, 38, 39 and 40.

As soon as the composite band I0 is completely wound onto the mandrel 33 and pressed into the helical channel thereon, its ends are beveled, as previously. described, and held in position by temporary clamping means, not shown. Live steam is then admitted into the mandrel and the several strips vulcanized and bonded together to form a unitary structure. The finished band is then stripped from the mandrel in the form of an elastic helix. v

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7, a propeller shaft 4I is shown as extending througha strut or after bearing housing 42, and after and forward lstern tube bearing housings 43 and 44 respectively. Water drawing the band I 0 from the housing by unwinding it from the shaft.

The spaced tread portions are each formed to provide a substantially flat diamond shaped tread or top surface IIa with the corner of a tread of one convolution being disposed adjacent to a corner of a tread of the adjacent convolution. By reason of the helical configuration of the channels 25 and 26, said adjacent treads will be offset slightly relative to one another. It will be understood, however, that the flat sides of the convolutions of the band formed by the parts I2, I3, I4, I5, I6,.I'I and 20, and which constitutes the supporting base. are in contact with one another, seev Fig. 1.

The sides IIb and IIc of said tread portions.

diverging away from said shaft contact surface l Ila. to merge into the longitudinal sides of the band IIJ, which are formed at and parallel. In

other words, viewing Fig. 8, the sides IIb and IIc or' each tread portion converge toward the contact surfaceof the tread. Thus, when the band I0 is helically wound within a bearing' housing, the flat sides thereof will abut each other so that the converging sides IIb of the 'tread portions II opposed to each other will define the lubricating channel 26.

In a like manner the converging sides I Ic of the tread portions will define the channels 25 in the helically wound 4band IQ. Preferably, the edges and corners of the tread portions are rounded.

It will be understood 'that the above descrip- ,tion and accompanying drawings comprehend only the general and preferred embodiment of the invention, and that various changes in construction, proportion and arrangementof the parts may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the appended claims without sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

The invention described herein maybe manufactured and/or used by or for the Government of the- United States of America for governmental or other lubricant is freely circulated through the channels 25 and 26 in the bearings from -an inlet pipe 45`and water tube 46, Fig. 7, tube 46 and perforated conical after fairwater 4,1, Fig. 6, and forward perforated fairwater 48 and after fairwater 49, Fig. 5. The helical bearings, hereinbefore described, are inserted in -the housings after the shaft 4I has'been mounted thereinby winding the bearing band III around the shaft and by tapping the separate convolutions thereof into the housings until the convolutions all contact with. one another, as shown in Fig. 1. n The collars 23 may be secured to the ends of the band I0 just before the last convolution is tapped into po'sition. 'I'he band I0 may be easily removed for replacement by removing the collars 23 and withpurposes without the payment of any royalities .thereon or therefor.`

What is claimed is: a. l

1.v A bushing adapted to be inserted in a shaft housing and comprising a helical .band having an internal shaftengaging tread portion of elastic, anti-friction material, an intermediate reinforcing breaker-*strip and an outer metallic band, all vulcanized together to form a unitary structure. 'I

2; A bushing fadapted to be inserted in a shaft housing and comprising a helical band having an internal shaft engaging tread portion of elastic,

' anti-friction material, an intermediate reinforcing breaker strip and an outer metallic band, all vulcanized together to form a unitary structure.

the convolutions of said band being nepal-ablev when the bushinr is being assembled' and disassembled, but in contact with'one another when Positioned in said housing. 1

3. A bushing adapted to be inserted in a shaft housing and comprising a helical band having an internal lshaft engaging tread pontion of'elastic, anti-friction material, an inter'- lmediate reinforcing breaker strip and an vouter metallic band, all vulcanized to form avunitary| structure, said outer metallic band being welded to said breaker strip. 1

4. A bushing adapted to be inserted in a shaft housing and comprising a helical Yband hav ing an internal shaft engaging tread porelastic, antifriction material, an intermediate reinforcing breaker strip. an outer me.- tallic band, all vulcanizedtogether to form a unitary structure, and a metallic collar secured to said helical band at each end thereof.

5. A bearing comprising a unitary helical strip having a plurality of spaced resilient tread portions formed along one side with the longitudinal side walls of each tread portion converging away from the base thereof, said strip being ,disposed within a supporting housing with each convolution in abutting engagement with the other and with the surfaces of the treadlportions dening an axial bore adapted to receive a shaft in bear,- ing engagement therewith, said tread portions defining an uninterrupted helical channel extending the full length of the bearing, and the spaces between each tread portion communicating with adjacent convolutions ofl said helical channel, thereby to provide a positive flow of a lubricating medium across the entire bearing surface from one end of the bearing to the other.

6. A bearing structure comprising a flexible helical band adapted to be entwined around a shaft and having a flexible metallic base and a shaft engaging body portion of elastic antifrction bearing material bonded thereto, said metallic base constituting anouter cylindrical casing enclosing said bearing material when the convolutions of said helical band are disposed contiguous with Ione another.

7. li bearing structure comprising a flexible helical band adapted to be entwined around a shaft and having a flexible metallic base and a shaft engaging body portion of elastic antifrictlon bearing material bonded thereto and an intermediate brealrer strip embedded in said body portion, said metallic base constituting an outer cylindrical casing enclosing said bearing material when the convolutions of said vhelical band are disposed contiguous with one another.

d. .el bearing structure comprising a flexible helical band adapted to be entwined around a shaft and having a nexible metallic base and a shaft engaging body portion of elastic antifriction bearing material bonded thereto and an intermediate breaker strip of vvire mesh embedded in said body (portion, said metallic base constituting an outer cylindrical casing enclosing said bearing material when the convolutions of said helical band are disposed contiguous with one another.

'9. it bearing structure comprising a horrible helical band adapted to be entwined around a shaft and having a nexlble-metallic base and a shaft engaging body portion of antifriction bearmaterial bonded thereto and an intermediate brealrer strip of Wire mesh embedded in said body portion and Welded to said metallic base, said o lil. li. bearing structure comprising a hexible' helical band adapted to be entwined around a shaft and having a exible metallic base and a shaft engaging body portion of elastic antiiriction bearing material bonded thereto and a plurality of intermediate breaker strips of wire mesh embedded in said body portion, one of said breaker strips being Welded to said metallic base and another thereof being free therefrom, said-metallic base constituting au outer cylindrical casing enclosing said bearing material when the convolutions of said helical band are disposed contiguous with one another.

il. A bearing structure comprising a flexible helical band adapted to be entwined arounda shaft and having a flexible metallic base and a shaft engaging body portion of elastic antifriction bearing material bonded thereto, said bearing material being formed with a plurality of transversely extending spaced grooves defining a plurality of shaft engaging tread portions, the

grooves in one of the convolutions of said helical band communicating with the grooves in an adjacent convolution to define a plurality of channels extending' throughout the length of? the bearing for the circulation of a lubricant and said metallic base constituting an outer cylindrical casing enclosing said bearing material when the vconvolutions of said helical band are'disposed contiguous with 'one another.

12. A bearing structure comprising a flexible helical band adapted to be entwined around a shaft and having a flexible metallic base and a shaft engaging body portion of elastic antifriction bearing material bonded thereto, said bearing material being formed withv a plurality of dlagonally extending spaced grooves defining a plurality of shaft engaging tread portions. thegrooves in one of the convolutions of said helical band communicating with the grooves in an adjacent convolution to define, a plurality of helical channels extending throughout the length of the bearing for the circulation of a lubricant and said metallic base constituting an outer cylindrical casing enclosingsaid bearing material when the convolutlons of said helical band are disposed contiguous with one another.

i3. A bearing structure comprising a ilexible helical band adapted to be entwined around a shaft and having a flexible metallic base and a shaft engaging body portion of elastic antifriction bearing material bonded thereto, said body portion being formed with' beveled edges defining a helical channel extending the entire length of the bearing for the circulation of a lubricant and said metallic base constituting an. outer cylindrical casing enclosing said bearing matejacent convolution to form a plurality of helical r channels extending the entire lengthofthe bearing for the circulation of a lubricant, said body portion being also formed with beveled edges de fining a single helical channel of different pitch intersecting said first mentioned channels, and

`said metallic base constituting an outer cylindrical casing enclosing said body portion when the convolutions of said helical band are disposed contiguous vvith one another.

15. .A bearing structure comprising a flexible helical band adapted to be entvvined around a shaft and having a iiexible metallic base andV a shaft engaging body portion of elastic antifriction bearing material bonded thereto and an intermediate breaker strip embedded in said body portion. said bearing material being formed with a plurality of transversely extending spaced grooves defining a plurality of shaft engaging tread portions, the grooves in one of the convolutions of said helical band communicating with the grooves in an adjacent convolution to define a plurality of channels extending throughl out the length of the bearing for the circulation of a lubricant and said metallic base constituting an outer cylindrical casing enclosing said bearing material when the convolutions of said helical band are disposed contiguous with one another.

16. A bearing structure comprising a ilexible `helical band adapted to be entwined around a shaft and having a, ilexible metallic base and a shaft engaging body portion of elastic antifriction bearing material bonded thereto and an intermediate breaker strip of wire mesh embedded in said body portion and welded to said metallic base,` said bearing material being formed with a plurality of transversely extending spaced grooves defining a plurality of shaft engaging tread portions, the grooves in one of the convolutions of said helical band communicating with the grooves in an adjacent convolution to define a plurality of channels extending throughout the length of the bearing for the circula-v` tion 'of a lubricant and said metallic base constituting an outer cylindrical casing enclosing said bearing material when the convolutions of said helical band are disposed contiguous with one another. l

17. A bearing structure comprising a ilexible helical band adapted to be entwined around a shaft and having a exible metallic base and ashaft engaging body portion of elastic antitread portions, the grooves in one of the convvolutions of said helical band communicating with the grooves in an adjacent convolution to form a plurality of channels extending throughout the length of the bearing for the circulation of a lubricant and said metallic base constituting an outer cylindrical casing enclosing said bearing material when the convolutions of said helical band are disposed contiguous with one another.

ROBERT J. RUTHS. 

